Aun Aprendo ( I’m Still Learning ) EP

www.myspace.com/blueeyedshark

I don’t think the act lineup features any of the Dragon’s Den bigshots, but maybe it should…anyway this four-tracker has a great colourful fish cover graphic that gives no clue as to the nature of the music.

Opener ‘Generation’ is fast-heartbeat song with a curious story and a Parental Guidance lyric delivered in a verging-on-deadpan voice and chorus of buzz-phrases all against a sparse backing. An original way to express disappointment and resentment, with a melody that verges on Brel and those fashionable 80s synth tones. Horrible drum sound but otherwise spot-on..

The following ‘Sleep Next To me’ has semi-spoken vocal over basic piano-chording. It’s touching, set against the opening cut’s bitterness and despair.

As for ‘Goodbye My Little Friend’ is again conversational, something about this act makes me think of a downhome Divine Comedy. Closer ‘Rain’ has a country-lament atmosphere and a corny chorus.

Deliberately aiming at an intimate ie non-stadium sound, this set sounds distinctive enough. Not sure where they take this project from here, though

Pete Sargeant     www.fairhearing.co.uk